Photo: Lily Girma

A Guidebook Author's Top 10 for Belize

Belize Student Work Insider Guides
by Andrea Cauthen May 21, 2013
Read the full interview with Lily Girma, in which she talks about the process of writing the Moon Belize guidebook.
1. Best beaches

Tough question; Belize has some lovely beaches and offshore islands. My top two favorites are South Water Caye (on the Pelican Beach Resort side), and Hopkins Village’s beach.

2. Best food and drink

Best drink is a cold Belikin beer.

Best food: Another tough one. Fry jacks for breakfast, conch ceviche, and stew chicken with rice and beans.

3. Best place for an all-night party

San Pedro on Ambergris Caye, followed by Caye Caulker and San Ignacio in the Cayo District (on the weekends).

4. Best place to catch a sunset

On the Northern Cayes; Caye Caulker first, then Ambergris Caye. And if you want off the beaten path, then in Sarteneja — a beautiful fishing village in northern Belize.

5. Best place to fall in love

Anywhere! Belize is magical. I would either pick one of the secluded cayes (islands), or go inland — by waterfalls deep in the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, at Billy Barquedier National Park, or Rio Blanco National Park.

6. Best place for people watching

The “Split” on Caye Caulker.

7. Best place to get a glimpse of “authentic” Belize

The “deep south” or Punta Gorda, Belize.

8. Best festival

It’s a national and cultural event, but I would say Garifuna Settlement Day and eve in Dangriga (November 18 and 19). It’s a blast and an unforgettable display of culture, with all-night drumming, concerts, and parades.

9. Best accommodation: Luxury, moderate, and flat broke

Belize is a big country, believe it or not, with six districts, plus offshore islands. There are tons of wonderful accommodations to suit all budgets. I’ll just mention a few favorites:

    High end: Sea Dreams Hotel or Rainbow Hotel on Caye Caulker, Pelican Beach Resort on South Water Caye, Laru Beya or Miramar Apartments in Placencia, Hidden Valley Inn in Cayo, or Chan Chich Lodge in the north.

    Moderate: Tipple Tree Beya in Hopkins, Spindrift on Ambergris, or Caye Caulker Plaza Hotel.

    Budget: Lydia’s Guesthouse in Placencia, Dirty McNasties on Caye Caulker, Ruby’s on Ambergris Caye, or Tobacco Caye Lodge.

10. Best music

Paranda (for instance, music by Paul Nabor), followed closely by Punta Rock. If you’ve never heard of these, check out The music of Belize.

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